Facebook users will soon start seeing more live videos with closed captioning

Why it matters to you

Twenty percent of videos uploaded to Facebook are now live, and soon many of them will be more accessible to viewers with hearing impairments.

One in five Facebook videos are streamed live — and now the social media platform is working to make sure those videos are widely accessible. On Tuesday, Facebook announced that closed captions are now enabled on some live broadcasts.

Translating the video’s audio into text is now possible with the Live API. That programming will allow large publishers with broadcast equipment, a third party caption provider or a closed captioning software to use a standard CEA-608 Closed Captioning on live streams. Currently, those apps include Ai-Media and Telestream.

The feature still requires some broadcast equipment or third-party software, so users likely won’t be seeing the on-screen text inside friend’s live broadcasts, but large publishers such as media outlets can now begin using the feature. Any live videos using the API or compatible third party apps can now translate live audio in real time, proving on-screen text for the hearing impaired. Facebook users that have the Closed Captioning feature turned on will automatically see the text if that particular publisher enabled the feature.

While the update makes the feature accessible to large publishers, Facebook has already tested closed captioning on live videos at the F8 conference earlier this year. While live Closed Captions could allow a broader user base to enjoy live videos, translating text in real time isn’t always accurate — as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard commencement speech illustrated earlier this year.

The change continues to show Facebook’s focus on enhancing live video as the media type continues to grow. Facebook users now watch four times more live video content then they did just a year ago, with 20 percent of videos uploaded to the platform now being aired live. In May, the social media platform added the ability to invite friends to watch a live broadcast, including a private chat that doesn’t show up on the video’s public comments stream.

Deep-learning AI can predict if someone will die in the next 5 years

Why it matters to you

Deep learning AI could one day work as an early warning system to allow earlier medical intervention to patients.

This AI will tell people when they’re likely to die — and that’s a good thing. That’s because scientists from the University of Adelaide in Australia have used deep learning technology to analyze the computerized tomography (CT) scans of patient organs, in what could one day serve as an early warning system to catch heart disease, cancer, and other diseases early so that intervention can take place.

Using a dataset of historical CT scans, and excluding other predictive factors like age, the system developed by the team was able to predict whether patients would die within five years around 70 percent of the time. The work was described in an article published in the journal Scientific Reports.

“The goal of the research isn’t really to predict death, but to produce a more accurate measurement of health,” Dr. Luke Oakden-Rayner, a researcher on the project, told Digital Trends. “A patient’s risk of death is directly related to the health of their organs and tissues, but the changes of chronic diseases build up for decades before we get symptoms. By the time we recognize a disease is present it is often quite advanced. So we can take a known outcome, like death, and look back in time at the patient’s medical scans to find patterns that relate to undetected disease. Our goal is to identify these changes earlier and more accurately so we can tailor our treatment to individuals.”

The AI analyzes CT scans to make its decisions.

At present, this is still a proof-of-concept experiment, however, and Oakden-Rayner points out that there’s a lot more work to be done before this becomes the transformative clinical tool it could be. For one thing, the AI’s 70-percent predictive accuracy when looking at scans is in line with the “manual” predictions made by experts. That makes it a potential time-saving tool, or a good means of double-checking, but the hope is that it can be much more than that.

“Our next major step is to expand our dataset,” Oakden-Rayner continued. “We used a very small cohort of 48 patients in this study to show that our approach can work, but in general deep learning works better if you can give it much more data. We are collecting and analyzing a dataset of tens of thousands of cases in the next stage of our project.”

The team also aims to expand what the AI is looking for, to help spot things like strokes before they strike.

Deep-learning AI can predict if someone will die in the next 5 years

Why it matters to you

Deep learning AI could one day work as an early warning system to allow earlier medical intervention to patients.

This AI will tell people when they’re likely to die — and that’s a good thing. That’s because scientists from the University of Adelaide in Australia have used deep learning technology to analyze the computerized tomography (CT) scans of patient organs, in what could one day serve as an early warning system to catch heart disease, cancer, and other diseases early so that intervention can take place.

Using a dataset of historical CT scans, and excluding other predictive factors like age, the system developed by the team was able to predict whether patients would die within five years around 70 percent of the time. The work was described in an article published in the journal Scientific Reports.

“The goal of the research isn’t really to predict death, but to produce a more accurate measurement of health,” Dr. Luke Oakden-Rayner, a researcher on the project, told Digital Trends. “A patient’s risk of death is directly related to the health of their organs and tissues, but the changes of chronic diseases build up for decades before we get symptoms. By the time we recognize a disease is present it is often quite advanced. So we can take a known outcome, like death, and look back in time at the patient’s medical scans to find patterns that relate to undetected disease. Our goal is to identify these changes earlier and more accurately so we can tailor our treatment to individuals.”

The AI analyzes CT scans to make its decisions.

At present, this is still a proof-of-concept experiment, however, and Oakden-Rayner points out that there’s a lot more work to be done before this becomes the transformative clinical tool it could be. For one thing, the AI’s 70-percent predictive accuracy when looking at scans is in line with the “manual” predictions made by experts. That makes it a potential time-saving tool, or a good means of double-checking, but the hope is that it can be much more than that.

“Our next major step is to expand our dataset,” Oakden-Rayner continued. “We used a very small cohort of 48 patients in this study to show that our approach can work, but in general deep learning works better if you can give it much more data. We are collecting and analyzing a dataset of tens of thousands of cases in the next stage of our project.”

The team also aims to expand what the AI is looking for, to help spot things like strokes before they strike.

The next iOS camera will be able to read QR codes natively

Why it matters to you

With iOS 11, Apple users can ditch the dedicated QR scanner (if they haven’t already) and still be able to read the occasional code.

iOS 11 is gaining a number of new features including built-in filters and Live Photo edits, but developers have noticed another feature — an integrated QR or Quick Read code scanner.

QR codes are unique graphics that link to a website or other information source, including such data as contact details to Wi-Fi log-in details, but, for iOS users, they require downloading an app to read them. iOS 11 could change that, as developers have spotted the ability to scan a QR code inside the native camera app.

The QR code reader in iOS 11 knows when it’s a WiFi network and offers to join. pic.twitter.com/pCHwGi1abF

— Dayton Lowell (@daytonlowell) June 5, 2017

In the software update, the native camera app can read the code, and displays the data automatically in a pop-up notification, no app download necessary. The feature is new to iOS 11, which is slated for release sometime this fall.

While the native feature is new for iOS, users don’t necessarily need an app dedicated entirely to the task of scanning codes anymore. Google’s Chrome on iOS launched an in-app QR scanner earlier this year. Shapchat also launched a similar “snapcode” that allows users to generate and read QR codes, while both Snapchat and Twitter allow users to turn their profiles into QR codes, eliminating the typing to search for new profiles to follow.

QR codes have been around for a few years — and seem to have faded in and out of popularity. A survey back in 2012 when the codes were popping up in multiple paces showed that 97 percent of respondents didn’t know what a QR code was. While the QR code is a tech that’s faded from the limelight, a Scanbury study showed a growth of QR scans of 7.5 percent in 2015.

QR codes are one of several ways that cameras and object recognition technology are taking on tasks normally left up to a keyboard, alongside tech from Google Lens to in-app barcode scanners. Whether or not QR codes will stick around, iOS users will soon be able to get rid of one more app — and still retain the ability to scan the codes.

Samsung’s Bixby assistant can now pull key phrases from your commands

Why it matters to you

There’s nothing worse than having to shout a convoluted phrase to a voice assistant, but Samsung’s Bixby makes it easier.

Repeating the same lengthy, convoluted command to a voice assistant over and over again becomes annoying pretty quickly — especially if it’s something basic. Luckily, Samsung knows your pain, and has the solution: Shortcuts. On Wednesday, some Galaxy S8 units received an update with support for “short Bixby voice command support” in tow.

Starting in Seoul, South Korea, this week, Samsung’s AI-powered digital assistant, will remember short key phrases from your commands, eliminating the need to shout an entire phrase or sentence again. If you say, “Bixby, please, check the balance of my bank account,” for example, it will remember works like “balance” and “bank account.” The next time the you want to check the balance, you only need say, “Bixby, account balance,” or, “Bixby, bank account.”

It’s a little like shortcuts on the Google Assistant. In May, Google’s artificially intelligent helper gained support for abbreviated, programmable voice commands — instead of having to say, “Play workout music on Google Play Music to my basement speaker,” for example, you could shorten the command to “Start workout.” But Google Assistant commands have to be configured manually; Bixby, it appears, is smart enough to create its own.

Samsung’s answer to voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Microsoft’s Cortana, Bixby can respond to basic questions about the weather, upcoming meetings, sports scores, and movie screenings — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Samsung’s assistant will eventually work across apps like the Galaxy S8’s dialer, text messenger, settings menu, camera app, contacts list, and Gallery.

But it is not clear when it might come to the U.S. In April, Samsung announced that the voice activation and control would not be available in English until later this year — reportedly because Bixby’s English-language performance fell short of its Korean, according to The Wall Street Journal. In June, Samsung delayed Bixby’s English-language features again; it is now expected to launch in June.

But Samsung has improved Bixby in the meantime. It recently added banking support for users in South Korea — Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, and KEB Hana Bank customers to check their bank account balances and transfer money to other friends. And Samsung says it will eventually perform actions like rotating misaligned photos, playing videos and sending them to nearby televisions, and composing emails.

Eventually, Samsung hopes to expand Bixby beyond smartphones. The company sees the technology in television remote controls, smartwatches, smart refrigerators, and even washing machines.

Work Towards Cisco Certification with this Comprehensive Training suite

Getting ready for a career change, or ready to take your current one to the next level? If so, you’ve got some studying ahead, lots of prep work, and maybe even a large cost associated with the choice.

Pay less for a limited time Learn More

You don’t have to spend a fortune in order to get ready for the next step in your career, especially with this Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Training Suite which is currently 90% off! Learn at your own pace with two years of access to these comprehensive training courses.

The courses included in this bundle are:

• Cisco CCNA R/S (200-125): The Complete Course — Everything you need to prepare for and pass Cisco’s new CCNA R/S 200-125 Certification Exam!
• **Cisco CCNA IPv4 Course — Enhance your knowledge and understanding of the IPv4 protocol!
• Cisco CCNA CCENT / ICND1 (100-105): The Complete Course — Your complete guide to prepare and pass Cisco’s CCENT Certification!

Don’t miss out on this 90% savings! Learn More

Priced at just $39 you are getting way more than you are actually paying for. Normally this certification training would set you back over $400. By course’s end, you’ll be ready to take the certification exam (not included in package) and dive headfirst into a lucrative new career.

Don’t miss out on this sweet deal, your future self will thank you!

How to uninstall Gear VR apps

Uninstalling Gear VR apps is easy from within the Oculus app.

Gear VR delivers all sorts of excellent experiences that are delivered right from your phone. However, the day may come when you need to unistall a few apps to make enough room for something new. When that time comes, the process is very simple, you just need to deal with it from inside of the Oculus app. We’ve got the details for you here.

Read more at VRHeads

4 reasons to buy a U.S. unlocked Galaxy S8, and 3 reasons to be cautious

You have the option to break the carrier shackles.

Slowly but surely, Samsung is doing a better job of offering and promoting its unlocked phone options. With each year of Galaxy S phones on U.S. carriers we get a closer launch of the U.S. unlocked variants, and the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are prominently displayed as being available unlocked on Samsung’s website.

But what are the pros and cons of buying unlocked in the U.S. versus buying from a carrier as so many do already? We have you covered right here.

Reasons to buy a U.S. unlocked Galaxy S8

We so often preach the importance of looking for an unlocked phone rather than going directly to a carrier, but perhaps don’t always enumerate the benefits. Here’s what you can look forward to when buying a Galaxy S8 or S8+ unlocked directly from Samsung.

No bloatware

One of the most annoying aspects of buying a carrier-sold phone is all of the apps and software it includes. Some carriers add a dozen or more apps and trials on the phone, cluttering it up with tons of things you don’t need or want.

When you buy unlocked directly from Samsung, you don’t get any of that. We wish we weren’t all subjected to this time after time, but the carriers continue to leverage their market dominance by adding in all of these apps, and the only way to avoid them is skipping their sales channel altogether.

Not locked to any carrier

We all just want to be free. Free from being forced into using one carrier. And when you buy a phone directly from a carrier, chances are for some period of time your phone will be locked to use on that carrier — especially if you’re buying the phone on a financing plan.

While you may not go hopping from carrier to carrier every month, just knowing that you have the option is empowering. It can be a practical feature, too, if you travel internationally and want to use your phone with a local SIM card rather than pay your U.S. carrier for data roaming charges.

But all big networks are supported

Even though the unlocked Galaxy S8 and S8+ don’t have any of the carrier software or apps pre-loaded on them, Samsung has still done the work to certify that they will work fully on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. That means you don’t have to worry about compatibility when popping in your SIM, or switching between carriers in the future.

That also means you’ll have options to try lower-cost prepaid carriers, too, since they almost all operate on AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks.

Samsung and Best Buy offer financing, too

Carriers moved away from two-year contracts, but found a new way to lock us in: financing plans. Now, people are so often incentivized to buy from carriers just so they can pay off their phone over time. But when buying a Galaxy S8 or S8+ unlocked, you actually have the same sort of offering from Samsung and Best Buy.

Samsung offers 24-month zero-interest financing when buying from its website, while Best Buy offers the same terms using a My Best Buy credit card. Consider these options instead of just jumping at the carrier because you’re afraid of that big hit of a full $725 or $825 price.

See at Best BuySee at Samsung

Reasons to be cautious

For all of the big upsides of buying unlocked, it isn’t all roses. Here are some potential downsides you should be aware of.

When will the updates come?

Here’s the big question any enthusiast looking at an unlocked Samsung phone has: will I get software updates? Last year’s U.S. unlocked Galaxy S7 and S7 edge lagged way behind in software updates. And for all of the crap we give carriers for delaying software updates, some of the carrier models have actually been kept up to date — with most getting Android 7.0 Nougat well before the unlocked model.

Samsung says it can turn this around and get the U.S. unlocked Galaxy S8 and S8+ their updates on time — and hopefully before carrier models — but history isn’t on its side in this regard.

Limited color options

For some, it’s all about looks. While you may be okay with the black Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+, many are intrigued by the orchid grey or arctic silver colors — and those aren’t available for the unlocked models (at least right now).

This is likely the case so that Samsung can limit its inventory of devices that aren’t likely to sell that well, but with any luck we’ll see the colors come later.

No carrier incentives

For as much as we dislike what carriers do to phones, they do still sometimes offer really good deals on phones. If you’re looking to get a discount on service, a buy-one-get-one deal or maybe a gift card rebate of some kind, you’re most likely to find that at a carrier rather than buying unlocked.

Some would say that getting a carrier-branded phone in the end isn’t worth whatever discount you got, but for a lot of people money is the number one consideration for buying a phone — do your research and see what deals are available.

2017 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Dads and tech: It’s a cliché. But it’s also true! Who wants a tie when there’s a new Sonos speaker, or a book when there’s a Galaxy Tab S3 on sale? This year, be the best kind of cliché and get dad a gift he’ll want.

Samsung Galaxy S8

If Dad needs the best of everything, look no further. The Galaxy S8 is the best phone you can buy right now, both because it’s beautiful, fast, and has one of the best cameras on the market. Samsung did a lot to improve its flagship phone this year, including outfitting it with a huge Infinity Display and adding ultra-fast iris scanning abilities. The future is here.

from $725 Buy Now

Nest Learning Thermostat

What do you mean dad can’t control the thermostat from the couch — at home or at the cottage? Nest’s Learning Thermostat is easy to set up and incredibly useful, connecting to the internet so dad can turn on the AC from anywhere. The Android app works really well with all of Nest’s other products, too, and it’s always being updated with new features.

from $239 Buy Now

Sony RX100 V

Dad’s phone may take great photos (especially if it’s a Galaxy S8), but nothing compares to the versatility of a great point-and-shoot. The Sony RX100 V is a DSLR in the shell of a compact camera. Featuring a 20MP sensor and some of the fastest autofocus on the market, the RX100 V takes beautiful shots in any situation, and the 24-70mm lens means you don’t have to be right in front of the subject to capture it.

$998 Buy Now

The best phone accessories

Your dad’s new Galaxy S8 needs some accessories, including a great case and a way to charge it without wires. We’ve got all the best accessories for his new phone, including this amazing convertible wireless charger, which cushions your phone in a horizontal or vertical position.

Various prices Learn more

UE Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker

Ultimate Ears’ Wonderboom takes everything we love from UE’s more expensive Boom and Megaboom speakers and shrinks it down into a little floating cube that stays waterproof while sounding great. It’s seriously one of our favorite things, and it will be a perfect gift for dad.

$99 Buy Now

Sonos Play:1

Sonos is the ultimate music gift. If your dad loves music, the Sonos Play:1 is the gift to get. Pair a couple of them for whole-room sound, or a bunch of them to get the entire house jumping. The good news is that Sonos knows dad wants one, since you may be able to find it on sale right now.

$199 Buy Now

Google Home

For a Google/Android fan, Google Home is a no-brainer. It’s got all the makings of Alexa, in the proper ecosystem, with the full force of Google behind it. It plays music, answer questions, and makes restaurant reservations. It’s like a new best friend.

$129 Buy Now

Samsung Tab S3

There’s really only one good Android tablet, and it’s made by Samsung. Thankfully, the Tab S3 is really good, and dad will love it on its own or with its optional keyboard cover. Made with the same high-quality metal as the Galaxy S8, the Tab S3 features a beautiful 9.7-inch display, and comes with the popular S Pen stylus for note-taking.

$499 Buy Now

Ring Pro Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

An essential piece of the connected home, the Pro version of Ring’s connected doorbell, which alerts you when someone is by the front door and allows you to see and chat with the person on the other side, is absolutely incredible. A great app, inexpensive cloud subscription, and excellent video and audio quality, Dad will love that Ring monitors what’s happening at the front of the house, and it pairs well with Ring’s Stick Up Cam to keep track of everywhere else.

$249 Buy Now

Chromecast Ultra

If using with a TV that has a 4K display or can playback HDR content and want to stream media at UHD, the Chromecast Ultra is for you. It’s super easy to set up, and at $70 it’s the perfect gift that won’t break the bank. It may break that binge-watching streak, though.

$70 Buy Now

Amazon Echo Dot

A smaller Echo, the Dot is easy to set up around the house — and because they’re significantly cheaper, you can get a few and pepper them around the house. A great gift, in packs of one, or six!

$49 Buy Now

Amazon Echo

If the smaller Echo Dot doesn’t do it for dad — if he wants to belt out some tunes at a decent volume — the larger Amazon Echo is worth the investment. And now that Alexa can make calls and send messages, you can drop dad a line when you need something, or just want to say ‘I love you.’

$179 Buy Now

Bose QC35 wireless headphones

Bose is the name in noise-cancelling wireless headphones, and for good reason: the QC35s have become the standard for long-term wear comfort, style and sound quality. If dad is a frequent traveler, or just needs a break from the outside world, you can’t do much better than the QC35s.

$350 Buy Now

SodaStream Source

There is nothing better than bubbly water — seltzer if you’re fancy — to start or end a day with your loved one. SodaStream Source is the best, and cheapest, way to a bubbly water future, and it doesn’t even need to be plugged in. You can add juice and cola flavors if you want, but even by itself, the Source is worth it.

$99 Buy Now

Aeropress Coffee Maker

Aeropress makes a great cuppa, because it is simple: grind the beans, pour it in the cavity and press. Easy to pick up but difficult to master, Aeropress emulates espresso for a fraction of the price. If dad is tired of the pods, an Aeropress is an essential purchase.

$30 Buy Now

Samsung Gear VR

Mobile VR is on the precipice of going mainstream, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting dad hooked. It’s an amazing experience being able to travel the world or play games or watch movies, and there is more 360-degree content being added every day.

$105 Buy Now

HTC Vive

As impressive as the Gear VR is, you’ll need to invest in something like the HTC Vive to see virtual reality’s true potential. And while dad will also need a beefy PC to power Vive, those are getting significantly cheaper. Help dad become a technology pioneer and get him addicted to VR!

$799 Buy Now

Fitbit Charge 2

Counting steps may be boring, but if you’re concerned about dad’s health, there is nothing more important. Get him walking 10,000 steps per day, and then get him running 10,000 more, with the Fitbit Charge 2, which not only measures heart rate, but guides you through custom workouts.

$150 Buy Now

Modern Dad does basic storm tech

High-tech gadgets can be lifesavers when severe weather hits. But don’t count out some low-tech options, too.

We’ve reached that part of the year in which those of us who live in storm-prone areas start to take stock and make sure we’re ready for the worst. Maybe (fingers crossed) that’ll mean nothing more than a temporary power outage. Maybe it’ll be something more serious.

In any event, though, we’ve got more tech today than we’ve ever had, helping us prepare, ride out and then recover from a storm.

Batteries are more prevalent than ever, of course. The Anker PowerHouse is crazy big (and not cheap because of it), but I’ve also been having fun with their $60 solar charger. Because for as great as external batteries are, they still need to be recharged at some point.

But the most important thing after a storm? A low-tech $10 sun shower. Trust me on this.

Modern Dad

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